Mary Todd Lincoln, The First "First Lady"

February 16, 2014

Mary Todd Lincoln was one of the daughters in a prominent family in Lexington. Kentucky. In 1839, Mary moved to Springfield, Illinois, to live with her older sister, where she was very popular and dated Stephen A. Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln won her heart, and in 1842, she married him.

As Janet Worthington explores Mary Lincoln’s life as first lady, she describes refurbishing the White House, her opposition to slavery, and her strong support of her husband's pro-Union policies, in addition to Mary’s reaction to criticism for her numerous shopping sprees and her relatives who sided with the South in the war.

Meridian United Methodist Church's Merry Methodist group will have a potluck supper followed by a presentation by Mary Todd Lincoln in recognition of President's Day and Abraham Lincoln's birthday.

Sponsor: MUMC Merry Methodists.

The Idaho Humanities Council is a non-profit organization serving as the state-based affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.